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AUTOWEEK TV: A closer look at the Jaguar XKR-S

July 13, 2011

Also in this episode: Toyota sets the sticker price on the Scion iQ, we get a first drive of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-class and the Mercedes Formula One team says Michael Schumacher is welcome to stick around.

TRANSCRIPT

It's a magical Thursday here at AutoWeek TV--at least for some of us who will stay up late tonight to be one of the first to see the final Harry Potter movie.

But you won't fall asleep with this hot lap around the auto world!

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Tthe tiny Scion iQ city car will carry a base price of $15,995 when it hits dealerships later this year.

The iQ packs a 90-hp, 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine, mated to a continuously variable transmission. Toyota says it can hold up to three adults and one child. And there are 10 airbags, including one for the rear window.

The first iQs reach West Coast dealers in October. The nationwide rollout will be completed next year.

For comparison purposes, the hatchback Ford Fiesta stickers at $16,295, while the Nissan Versa comes in at $10,990.

The new M-class, which started out as a joint program with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, offers buyers a choice of gasoline or diesel V6 engines.

The gas unit is rated at 302 hp, while the diesel V6 pumps out 240 hp and gets 20 mpg in city driving.

And even with a bunch of changes, Mercedes has set the price for the 2012 M-class the same as the 2011 model--just a tick less than 50 grand. The diesel engine adds $1,500 to the sticker.

V8 engines and an AMG version will show up in another year or so.

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Seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher's future with the Mercedes GP team is secure--if the 42-year-old German wants to continue racing beyond 2011.

Mercedes GP team principal Ross Brawn told a German newspaper that Mercedes is happy to continue with Schumacher, even though the driver has come under fire for his mixed performances since he returned to Formula One in 2010 after three years in retirement.

The next F1 race is the German Grand Prix on July 24.

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Let's close today with a look at one of the fastest Jaguars ever built for the road--the XKR-S. Here's Roger Hart.

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Thanks, Roger.

That's a wrap for today. Keep up with all of the car and racing news at autoweek.com.